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Tempest Landry, a quick-witted African American resident of Harlem, NY, is walking home when a case of mistaken identity leads to his being shot by police. He finds himself standing in line at the gates of heaven waiting to talk to Saint Peter, who reviews his past transgressions and finds him wanting. Tempest is denied entry into heaven and ordered to hell. Believing his "sins" justified and heaven refusing to see the full truth, Tempest refuses to go and challenges Saint Peter to prove to him that he is a sinner.
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Previews available in: English
Showing 4 featured editions. View all 4 editions?
Edition | Availability |
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1
The tempest tales
2009, Washington Square Press
in English
- 1st Washington Square Press trade pbk. ed.
1416599495 9781416599494
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3
The Tempest tales
2008, Black Classic Press, Distributed by Publishers Group West
in English
- 1st ed.
1574780433 9781574780437
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4
The Tempest Tales
March 28, 2008, Black Classic Press, Distributed by Publishers Group West
Hardcover
in English
1574780433 9781574780437
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Work Description
Tipping his hat to Langston Hughes, and his much loved character Jesus B. Semple, Walter Mosley introduces Tempest Landry and The Tempest Tales.
Mistaken for another man, wily Tempest is "accidentally" shot by police. Sent to receive the judgment of heaven he discovers his sins, according to St. Peter, condemn him to hell. Tempest takes exception to the saint's definition of sin; he refuses to go to hell and explains that he, a poor Black man living in Harlem, did what he did for family, friends,and love.
St. Peter, whose judgment has never been challenged, understands the secret of damnation and heaven's celestial authority -- mortals must willingly accept their sins.
Should Tempest continue his refusal, heaven will collapse, thereby allowing hell and its keeper,the fallen angel Satan, to reign supreme. The only solution: send this recalcitrant mortal back to earth with an accounting angel,whose all-important mission is to persuade Tempest to accept his sins and St. Peter's judgment.
Using the street smarts that served him so well in his previous life, Mosley's hero takes the accounting angel on a tour of mortal life that tests not only heaven's notions, but the poor angel's own resolve.
In this episodic battle with heaven and hell for his ultimate destiny, Tempest also takes the reader on a philosophic and humorous journey where free will is pitted against class and race -- and the music of heaven is pitted against the blues.
[sequel: The Further Tales of Tempest Landry (2015)]
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Feedback?December 22, 2023 | Edited by bitnapper | merge authors |
August 14, 2020 | Edited by ImportBot | import existing book |
August 3, 2020 | Edited by Mr. Bill | Edited without comment. |
August 3, 2020 | Edited by Mr. Bill | added description, from book cover |
October 18, 2009 | Created by WorkBot | add works page |